Very interesting statement from @elonmusk re Ukrainian StarLink and how damaging it is for @SpaceX economics.
Being Ukrainian actually in the topic of StarLinks, I want to tell you some based facts re starlinks in Ukraine.
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0. I admire the actions of SpaceX of enabling StarLink service in Ukraine. It is a true game changer for Ukrainian army in the open fields of no cellular, and long distances not suitable for radios, given the situation is changing quick on the battlefield.
It’s a game-changer.
1. Despite that, I have not seen ANY StarLink which was bought by the governments, or by SpaceX. All the Starlinks I have seen / used - were bought either by volunteers like myself, or soldiers put their personal money in.
The subscription price is also paid out of the pocket.
2. In my charity fund @dzygaspaw, I have bought and delivered to the frontlines over 50 StarLinks, some of them are still being paid from my credit card, now 60$ each per month.
Pic related - one more StarLink I bought and pay for - for Ukrainian EOD unit for Kharkiv offensive.
3. I would be VERY curious to see actual transparency on the process of getting StarLinks up and running in Ukraine, all the hidden costs that Elon claims. Because - Ukrainians pay the same price as everyone else but it’s only Ukraine that is a subject to discussion for @elonmusk
4. I have bought over 50 StarLinks, with official prices right from the website in EU countries - Poland, CZ, Germany - like 400-500 bucks each, then enable portability for extra IIRC 50$, then payed monthly fee of 60$ (was 120$ before).
It’s the same for everyone else in EU.
5. My question is - why is Ukraine so special for @elonmusk in sense of operating @SpaceX and StarLink? I don’t get the answers from the interview he did with CNN exclusive, especially given the numbers they claim.
I think it’s far from reality.
6. All pictures in this thread are legit usage of StarLinks in Ukrainian military for communication.
I am arranging that through my charity work - see dzygaspaw.com
I have helped my buddies in the military to survive - just because they can get information.
I just came back from the East of Ukraine, delivering $50,000+ worth of high-tech equipment to the Ukrainian Heroes holding the line against Russian invasion.
That was crazy.
Read this thread for the emotions and numbers. 🧵
The roads in Ukraine, despite the war, are great. It's a long drive from our HQ in Lviv, about 1000kms to Zaporizhya front. It's a pleasure to drive there.
We meet the units along the way, and it's really like a good family adventure trip for me and my fiancee @ippvch!
We met with our hero Lemko (on the left) who is a father to our university classmate Bohdan (on the right)
This was spectacular seeing Lemko lead UAV unit - a guy in his 50s knows EVERYTHING about the drones, firmware, signal boosters and war. We are happy to help smart units!
I absolutely hate to say it, but Yulia won't change regime in Russia. Not because she is not powerful enough, but because she does not want any regime change.
In her speech, and overall narrative, she is simply comforting her big audience and tells them - do nothing. It's OK.
I am Ukrainian who delivered hundreds of Starlinks to Ukrainian Army, and I know this topic well.
Russians now use Starlinks for their warfare against Ukraine. Elon Musk understands this.
A 🧵explaining the Starlink saga (again)
^ in the original picture, I am preparing another 24 Starlinks to depart to Ukrainian Armed Forces from my charity @dzygaspaw. We find high-tech that Ukrainian Heroes can use.
1. Yes, Russians use Starlinks for their warfare. 2. No, they didn't do much of it before. 3. Russians can use Starlink only in frontline areas. 4. This affects the fighting at the frontline, and is bad for Ukrainians. 5. Elon sucks
Zelenskyy replaced Zaluzhny tonight, and put Syrsky in charge.
I am Ukrainian, and I am very confused by all the doom in Western analytics.
I don't see any doom here. Nothing really is going to change in the war, unfortunately.
Here is what I think 🧵
Zaluzhny is a great general. He did a lot of tough decisions, and we love him for making an enormous contribution to saving Ukraine.
He is a Hero who controlled thousand kilometers of frontline - at land and in air, in water and even political front.
For TWO years. That's big.
In the original post, I put the picture of Syrsky and Zaluzhny together - because they always together!
Syrsky is literally the second dude in the military after Zaluzhny, and our Iron General stated multiple times that he trusts Syrsky in all operations.